Hero is a famous movie starring Jet Li, it was also a song title of a remarkable singer; Mariah Carey. "And then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on...". Is a hero a wise man? I shall leave it to you to judge.

I lost the first wise man 3 Christmas ago. Two days before the first wise man took his last breath; he called me at the office and talked to me in a soft voice. I never realized that was our last conversation until I received another phone call from my mom 2 days later. The first wise man; he provided me a roof to live in comfortably, 3 meals a day and daily pocket money. He was the one whom made a place for me to call home. I lived in a double storey house with 5 rooms. We had a big living room with a marble top table and plenty comfortable antic wooden chairs. There was where I revised my studies and prepared my school homework. We also had a 20 inches television set. I was so proud during my school days as my home was one of the few homes that equipped with telephone. When I went home after school, lunch was always ready for me. Dinner was never my worry. As far as my memory recalls, every year before 15th of the eighth lunar month, first wise man never failed to buy me a lantern to play with. In a year when the battery-operated lantern was gaining popularity, I also had one. Chinese New Year was also unforgettable as first wise man’s angpow was always huge in amount. Life was like a rainbow, full with joy and happiness. I didn’t know what was fear and worry until the day I got a piece of news from my school headmaster. I was being offered a place to continue my secondary studies in a boarding school about 200 km from my home.

The second wise man decided to send me to the boarding school as he believed this was a great opportunity to further my studies. I was excited at the beginning without knowing what I would be landed in. With almost complete preparation, the second wise man took me to the school. During my first day, I was worried as I know nobody in the school. Fear was next in my mind; my new school was in the midst of a palm oil plantation! I knew nothing about the new place. After the registration, the second wise man took me to the dormitory and left me with new found friends. New chapter of my life had begun. Everyday, we had to wake up at 6am, took the breakfast and adjourned to class. At night, we had ‘prep’ class. Basically, our time-table was well-arranged and being taken care of. I was in school team for hockey and we used to practise for tournament as early as 3pm in the afternoon! Cross country run (mini marathon) was part of annual sports day event, guess what we had to run crossing the palm oil estate every years (it was a must then!). After going through the thick and thin in the boarding school, the journey had come to the end when I completed my fifth form with flying colours.

I went to sixth form after I left the so-called 'elite' school. Life is like a box of chocolate (quoted from Forest Gump!). We never know what we would we get until we open the box. At that time, I was rather upset as I was not offerred any scholarship to go overseas. Things always happen for a reason. Thinking back, I feel very grateful for being in Malaysia then otherwise, I will not happen to meet the third wise man. He was my class mate when I started my sixth form. He was my friend when we were standing tall at Low's Peak. He was my chauffeur when we went to Pikes Peak. He was my teacher during my first lesson for ice-skating. He is my motivational speaker when I am depressed. He is my entertainer when I am laughing. He was the man whom held my hand and walked along the aisle to say 'I do'. And, he is going to be a great father to my children.

I am truly indebted to the first wise man whom provided me shelter and taught me about happiness in life. To the second wise man, I thanked you for giving me the strength to move on. Without your decision of sending me to boarding school, I would never grow up as what I am today. To the third wise man, you are the most wonderful gift in my life. You completes me!

The first wise man is my grandfather whom had left us for heaven on 21 Dec 2005. The second wise man is my dearest father and a brilliant husband to my mother. And the third wise man is my loving husband, my present care-taker whom is also an analog circuit designer.

I know 'Thank You' is never enough for heros like you. Alas, my last words is still "A BIG THANK YOU for being in my life!" You made me found a hero lies within...myself.."

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